Miami Hurricanes at Toledo: Five things to watch

Can Miami Slow Toledo’s offense?

The Miami Hurricanes defense had a hard time with the Toledo offense in last season’s 52-30 victory. Woodside threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns and the Rockets ran for 102 on 34 carries.

The Rockets starting running back Terry Swanson and Woodside had success running the football against the Miami defense. Swanson had 20 carries for 83 yards. Woodside had eight carries for 16, but that included 18 yards lost on six sacks. Otherwise had had two carries for 34 yards.

Swanson graduated after rushing for over 1,300 yards last season. He has been replaced by Art Thompkins who had 22 yards from scrimmage against Miami last season, Shakif Seymour and Bryant Kobach who transferred from Kentucky. Kobach led Toledo with 67 yards rushing and two touchdowns against VMI.

The Biggest key for the Miami defense will be containing the previously mentioned wide receiver trio for Toledo. The Rockets talented wide receiver troika averaged seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Hurricanes last season. If they go off like that again this season the crowd will shatter the Glass Bowl.

The Miami defense did a much better job in the second half against Toledo last season than they did in the first half. The Rockets had 281 yards before halftime and 165 afterward. Getting off to a good start against Toledo on the road is crucial. Miami has to do whatever it takes to take the Rockets home crowd out of the game early.